Weisbrod returns to his hockey roots

The former Magic general manager is hired as a scout for the NHL's Dallas Stars.

July 15, 2005|By Brian Schmitz, Sentinel Staff Writer

When John Weisbrod surprisingly resigned as general manager of the Orlando Magic in late May, he said he planned on returning to his roots: hockey.

On Thursday, he did just that. The Dallas Stars announced Weisbrod had been hired as a scout and will be based in New England.

"I'm very excited for this opportunity with the Stars," Weisbrod said in a press release on DallasStars.com. "Hockey is in my blood, and it's what I love to do. It will be great to get back into the rink and have the opportunity to be around the sport again."

Sources told the Sentinel in June that Weisbrod would be appointed general manager of an unidentified NHL team.

Weisbrod never disputed the report. A friend of Weisbrod's said recently he "didn't think the GM job worked out" for Weisbrod.

Weisbrod interviewed with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks for their GM position. The Ducks hired veteran league executive Brian Burke.

"The NHL lockout is over, and John is back in the league. That's good," Magic President Bob Vander Weide said.

His sudden, controversial departure came after his first season as general manager of the Magic -- and a day before the club announced the hiring of Brian Hill as its head coach.

Weisbrod denied his role as GM had changed or that his power had been usurped. He said he simply desired to return to hockey and said he would trade "three NBA titles for one Stanley Cup."

He played collegiate hockey at Harvard and in the minor leagues. He was also an executive in the minors, including a stint as GM of the Orlando Solar Bears. His promotion to GM of the Magic raised eyebrows.

"The hockey guy" immediately led a makeover of the Magic, trading Tracy McGrady in a multi-player deal with the Houston Rockets.

The Magic appointed Otis Smith and Dave Twardzik as assistant GMs to replace Weisbrod.